The contactless payment limit in the UK at the moment is £30, this will be increased to £45 from the 1st of April 2020.
This is to ensure that more contactless payments can be made during the virus outbreak in the UK and less people have to use their card and pin when making a purchase. The increase in the limit is a strategic move to minimize physical contact, which is crucial in curbing the spread of the virus. By allowing higher-value transactions to be processed contactlessly, the need for entering a PIN is reduced, thereby decreasing the potential for virus transmission through shared surfaces.
Impact on Mobile Payments
This limit will not apply to things like Apple Pay or Android Pay. Many stores do not have limits on these types of mobile payments, although some still limit these payments to £30. This will be raised to £45 in these stores. Mobile payments are generally considered more secure and hygienic as they often use biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint or facial recognition, eliminating the need for physical contact with payment terminals.
The flexibility of mobile payments has made them increasingly popular, especially during the pandemic. For instance, Apple Pay and Google Pay have seen a surge in usage as consumers look for safer ways to transact. Retailers are also adapting quickly to these changes, updating their systems to accommodate the new limits and ensure a seamless shopping experience for customers.
Implementation Timeline and Challenges
Whilst these new rules will be introduced from next week, it could take a couple of weeks for the new contact payment limit to filter out to all stores throughout the UK. The rollout process involves updating payment terminals and ensuring that all retailers are aware of the new limits. This can be a logistical challenge, especially for smaller businesses that may not have the same resources as larger retailers.
Moreover, there is a need for clear communication to consumers about the new limits to avoid confusion at the point of sale. Retailers will need to display updated information prominently and possibly train staff to handle any queries or issues that arise during the transition period.
Anything that can be done to cut down on contact with surfaces and also things like putting your pin number, is bound to help reduce the risk of spreading or catching the coronavirus. The increased limit is just one of many measures being implemented to enhance public safety. Other measures include the widespread use of hand sanitizers in stores, regular cleaning of payment terminals, and encouraging the use of self-checkout systems.
In addition to these measures, consumers are also advised to take personal precautions such as using their own stylus or pen to touch screens and avoiding cash transactions whenever possible. The collective effort of both retailers and consumers is essential in creating a safer shopping environment.
Source The Guardian
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